Rooted in Regeneration: How La Crema is Cultivating the Future of Wine and Soil

In this enlightening episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon visits the heart of California wine country for an in-depth conversation with the team at La Crema Winery. Together, they explore how one of the nation’s leading wine producers is championing regenerative agriculture while balancing tradition, innovation, and profitability. 

The discussion dives deep into long-term field trials funded by CDFA and USDA grants, focused on soil carbon sequestration, compost use, no-till strategies, and cover crops like daikon radish and crimson clover. You'll learn how La Crema’s partnership with institutions like UC Davis and UC Berkeley is not only reshaping vineyard soil health, but also improving water infiltration, microbial networks, and ultimately, wine quality. 

From experimenting with hemp for soil remediation to leveraging satellite evapotranspiration models and real-time vineyard sensors, La Crema exemplifies what it means to "close the gap between information and action." Winemaker Craig and the vineyard team offer unique insights on how regenerative practices must also meet the high standards of winemaking consistency — blending tradition with sustainability. 

Whether you’re a wine lover, a sustainability advocate, or someone passionate about climate-smart agriculture, this episode serves up a compelling mix of science, business, and ecological wisdom straight from the vines.

Why Listen?
At Harvesting Wisdom, we believe that "We have all taken a bite out of the apple." This conversation exemplifies how shared responsibility and scientific rigor can transform age-old practices. La Crema’s story encourages listeners to leave a social footprint by integrating sustainable methods that respect both the earth and the economy.

Episode Highlights: 

• 00:24 – CDFA “Filthy Soils” Grant and 10-Year Carbon Sequestration Trial
• 02:12 – Mycorrhizal studies with UC Davis and Oregon labs
• 03:08 – Foundation for Food & Ag Research (FAR) Trial explained
• 05:17 – Cover crops vs. tillage: real-world comparison
• 06:40 – Composting methods and herbicide-free farming
• 11:05 – Winemaking trials and consistency amid change
• 14:12 – Climate adaptation: managing vines through drought and heat
• 16:21 – Real-time vineyard sensors and evapotranspiration modeling
• 24:26 – Oregon Chardonnay's unexpected rise

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